Shop Steward Training
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Presentation Transcript
Shop Steward Training NINSC/AFGE
Introduction • This course is designed to prepare you to represent members as an employee representative
Agenda • The course can be completed by one or more at your own pace.
Overview • Representation of members as a employee activist and representative.
Vocabulary • NINSC, National Immigration and Natz. Service Council • AFGE, American Federation of Government Employees
The Shop Steward is a most important link in the chain between members and local officers.
In order for a Shop Steward to be effective the Steward must perform specific duties:
Maintain constructive Relationships:Organize and Recruit New Members:Serve: As front line REP:Protect: Conditions of Employment:Act and Talk Unionism:
Carry out Duties • Contract and Agency REGS • The Dept and the Office • Personality Differences • NINSC/AFGE Policies and Programs
Grievances and Adverse Actions • Removals • Suspension for more than 14 Days • Reduction in grade or pay • Furloughs of less than 30 days
Purpose of a Grievance • Enforce the Contract • Provide a method to settle disputes • Protect employee rights • Give the employee a voice
Before writing a grievance Investigate and Double Check the Facts:
When writing Grievances at the first step, write a simply statement of the facts for presentation to the first line supervisor.
What is a Grievance? • A grievance is generally defined as a dispute between labor and management.
What’s not a Grievance? • Violations of prohibited Political Activities • Retirement, Life or Death Insurance • Suspensions or Removals for National Security reasons • Initial Employment • Classification (Not related to Pay or Grade)
Grievance Check List • Is there a Violation of the Contract • Is there a Violation of law • Can Management be held Responsible • Is there a Violation of Agency Policy • Is there a Violation of Past Practices • Has the Employee be treated FAIRLY
Investigating Grievances • Action taken by Management for Just Cause • Punishment fit offense
Seven Things to consider • Was there forewarning or knowledge • Was the rule or managerial order reasonable • Did the agency Investigate • Was the Investigation fair • Was there evidence of a violation • Did the agency apply rules and regs evenhandedly • Did the punishment fit the offense
CHECK THE FACTS • Did Management prove guilt • Did Management fail to present evidence • Length of Service • Employees past Record • Age of the Employee • Family Obligations • Reasonableness of the Discipline
Collecting Information • Can the information be measured accurately? • Is the meaning of the information clear?
Measuring Information • Years of Service • Medical records • Absenteeism • Tardiness • Production • Other jobs held • Education and training • Written reprimands • Quality of work
Types of Information • PEOPLE • AGENCY RECORDS
Types of Evidence • Best Evidence • Secondary Evidence • Circumstantial Evidence
Evidence Evaluation • Relevance • Shifting the burden of proof • Precedents • Past Practices
TESTIMONY • Direct Testimony • Indirect Testimony
WRITING A GRIEVANCE • WHEN • WHERE • WHY • WHAT • WITNESSES
WRITING THE GRIEVANCE • Be Concise • Keep records of important details • Say it first then write it • Write Legibly (TYPED)
Distributing the Grievance • Management • Steward • Chief Steward/Grievance Committee • Aggrieved Employee
Grievance File • Subject matter • Important Precedent Cases • Review for later use
Dealing with the Grievant • Steward and Employee • The Steward Alone • Role of the Chief Steward • Role of the National Representative • Grievance of Non-Members
Dealing with the Supervisor • Steward and Supervisor • Supervisor’s Authority • Discussing Side issues • Know when to Stop Talking • Failure to reach an Agreement
ARBITRATION • What is Arbitration • What can be Arbitrated • How do you get to Arbitration • Who presents the case first • The Stewards role in Arbitration • Who has the “Burden of Proof” • How are Arbitration hearings conducted • How to prepare • How long until a decision • What happens after the hearing • Can an Arbitrator be overruled
HAVE THE CONTRACT READY AND KNOW THE CONTENT BECAUSE MANAGEMENT MAY OR MAY NOT KNOW WHAT THE CONTRACT INVOLVES